[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[Â§24. Congressional Gold Medals]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 310-316]
 
                               CHAPTER 36
 
                         Ceremonies and Awards
 
Sec. 24. Congressional Gold Medals

    The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest award bestowed on 
civilians by the U.S. Congress. The commissioning and bestowing of a 
Congressional Gold Medal requires the passage of a bill awarding the 
medal itself. In addition, if a presentation ceremony is held in the 
Rotunda, the adoption of a

[[Page 311]]

concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Rotunda for such a 
ceremony is also required.
    Legislation awarding a Congressional Gold Medal falls under the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services. That committee has 
adopted rules governing the consideration and content of such 
legislation. Under Committee Rule 3(f)(1)(A),(1) the 
Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade and 
Technology will not hold a hearing on Congressional Gold Medal 
legislation unless it is cosponsored by at least two-thirds of the 
Members of the House.(2) Rule 3(f)(1)(C) requires the 
subcommittee to apply several standards in considering legislation 
authorizing Congressional Gold Medals. Among these are that ``the 
recipient shall be a natural person;''(3) the recipient 
shall have performed an achievement that ``has an impact on American 
history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major 
achievement in the recipient's field long after the 
achievement;''(4) that the recipient ``shall not have 
received a medal previously for the same or substantially the same 
achievement;''(5) that the recipient ``shall be living or, 
if deceased, shall have been deceased for not less than five years and 
not more than 25 years;''(6) and the achievements ``were 
performed in the recipient's field of endeavor, and represent either a 
lifetime of continuous superior achievements or a single achievement so 
significant that the recipient is recognized and acclaimed by others in 
the same field, as evidenced by the recipient having received the 
highest honors in the field.''(7)
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 1. See Rules of the Committee on Financial Services at 151 Cong. Rec. 
        H765-H768 [Daily Ed.], 109th Cong. 1st Sess., Feb. 17, 2005.
 2. Id.
 3. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(i).
 4. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(ii).
 5. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(iii).
 6. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(iv).
 7. Rule 3(f)(1)(C)(v).
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    The Congressional Gold Medal has been bestowed on military 
personnel, entertainers, aeronautical and space pioneers, explorers, 
lifesavers, pioneers in agriculture, science and medicine, public 
servants, athletes, activists and foreign recipients.(8) 
What follows is a sampling of recent recipients of the award.
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 8. For a full list of recipients, see http://clerk.house.gov/
art--history/house--history/goldMedal.html (last visited May 3, 
        2010).                          -------------------
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Sec. 24.1 The House, by unanimous consent, considered

[[Page 312]]

    and adopted an unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from 
    the Committee on House Administration) authorizing the use of the 
    Rotunda for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold 
    Medal to Jackie Robinson.

    On Mar. 1, 2005,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 151 Cong. Rec. 3072, 3073, 109th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 149 Cong. 
        Rec. 24229-33, 108th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 7, 2003 (H.R. 1900, 
        to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Jackie 
        Robinson in recognition of his many contributions to the 
        Nation).
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            PERMITTING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR CEREMONY TO AWARD 
                  CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO JACKIE ROBINSON

        Mr. [Robert W.] NEY [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged 
    from further consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. 
    Res. 79) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a 
    ceremony to award a Congressional gold medal to Jackie Robinson 
    (posthumously), in recognition of his many contributions to the 
    Nation, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 79

        Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
    concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to be 
    used on March 2, 2005, for a ceremony to award a Congressional gold 
    medal to Jackie Robinson (posthumously), in recognition of his many 
    contributions to the Nation. Physical preparations for the ceremony 
    shall be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the 
    Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.
        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 24.2 The House, by unanimous consent, considered and adopted an 
    unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from the Committee on 
    House Administration) authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the 
    presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H. 
    Shelton.

    On Sept. 17, 2002,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 148 Cong. Rec. 16912, 107th Cong. 2d. Sess. See also 147 Cong. Rec. 
        27125-28, 107th Cong. 1st Sess., Dec. 19, 2001 (H.R. 2751, 
        authorizing the President to award a gold medal on behalf of 
        the Congress to General Henry H. Shelton and to provide for the 
        production of bronze duplicates of such medal for sale to the 
        public).
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        Mr. [Vernon] EHLERS [of Michigan]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent that the Committee on House Administration be discharged 
    from further consideration of the concurrent resolution

[[Page 313]]

    (H. Con. Res. 469) authorizing the Rotunda of the Capitol to be 
    used on September 19, 2002, for a ceremony to present the 
    Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H. Shelton (USA, Ret.), 
    and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
        The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan).(2) Is there 
    objection to the request of the gentleman from Michigan?
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 2. John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN).
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        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 469

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
        be used on September 19, 2002, for a ceremony to present the 
        Congressional Gold Medal to General Henry H. Shelton (USA, 
        Ret.). Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried 
        out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the 
        Capitol may prescribe.

        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 24.3 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent 
    resolution (discharged from the Committee on House Administration) 
    authorizing the use of the Rotunda for a ceremony to present a 
    Congressional Gold Medal to former President Ronald Reagan and his 
    wife, Nancy Reagan.

    On Mar. 5, 2002,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 148 Cong. Rec. 2393-95, 2398, 107th Cong. 2d. Sess. See also 146 
        Cong. Rec. 4255-61, 107th Cong. 2d Sess., Apr. 3, 2000 (H.R. 
        3591, to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf of the 
        Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy 
        Reagan in recognition of their service to the Nation).
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        Mr. [John] LINDER [of Georgia]. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
    the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 305) 
    permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to 
    present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to former President 
    Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy Reagan, as amended.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 305

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
        be used on May 16, 2002, for a ceremony to present a gold medal 
        on behalf of Congress to former President Ronald Reagan and his 
        wife Nancy Reagan. Physical preparations for the ceremony shall 
        be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the 
        Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.

        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule, 
    the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder) and the gentleman from 
    Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) will each control 20 minutes. The Chair 
    recognizes the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Linder). . . .
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 2. John Culberson (TX).
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        So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were 
    suspended and

[[Page 314]]

    the concurrent resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
        The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 24.4 The House, by unanimous consent, considered and adopted an 
    unreported concurrent resolution (discharged from the committee on 
    House Administration) authorizing the use of the Rotunda for the 
    posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Charles M. 
    Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip.

    On June 5, 2001,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 147 Cong. Rec. 9891, 9892, 107th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 146 Cong. 
        Rec. 9587, 9588, 106th Cong. 2d Sess., June 6, 2000 (H.R. 3642, 
        to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of 
        the Congress to Charles M. Schulz in recognition of his lasting 
        artistic contributions to the Nation and to the world).
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             PERMITTING USE OF ROTUNDA OF CAPITOL FOR PRESENTATION 
         POSTHUMOUSLY OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ

        Mr. [Vernon] EHLERS [of Michigan]. Madam Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that the Committee on House Administration be 
    discharged from further consideration of the concurrent resolution 
    (H. Con. Res. 149) permitting the use of the Rotunda of the Capitol 
    for a ceremony to present posthumously a gold medal on behalf of 
    Congress to Charles M. Schulz, and ask for its immediate 
    consideration in the House.
        The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Is there objection to 
    the request of the gentleman from Michigan? . . .
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 2. Judith Biggert (IL).
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        There was no objection.
        The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                                H. Con. Res. 149

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That the Rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
        be used on June 7, 2001, for a ceremony to present posthumously 
        a gold medal on behalf of Congress to Charles M. Schulz. 
        Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in 
        accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol 
        may prescribe.

        The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 24.5 The House suspended the rules and agreed to an unreported 
    concurrent resolution (discharged from the Committee on House 
    Administration) authorizing use of the Rotunda to present a 
    Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore Hesburgh.

[[Page 315]]

    On June 27, 2000,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 146 Cong. Rec. 12520-22, 106th Cong. 2d Sess. See also 145 Cong. 
        Rec. 24976-82, 106th Cong. 1st Sess., Oct. 12, 1999 (H.R. 1932, 
        to authorize the President to award a gold medal on behalf of 
        the Congress to Father Theodore M. Hesburgh, in recognition of 
        his outstanding and enduring contributions to civil rights, 
        higher education, the Catholic Church, the Nation, and the 
        global community).
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        PERMITTING USE OF ROTUNDA OF CAPITOL FOR PRESENTATION CEREMONY 
            OF CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO FATHER THEODORE HESBURGH

        Mr. [Bill] THOMAS [of California]. Mr. Speaker, I move to 
    suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. 
    Res. 344) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a 
    ceremony to present the Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore 
    Hesburgh, as amended.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Con. Res. 344

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
        be used on July 13, 2000, for a ceremony to present the 
        Congressional Gold Medal to Father Theodore Hesburgh. Physical 
        preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in 
        accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol 
        may prescribe.

        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule, 
    the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from 
    Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) each will control 20 minutes.
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 2. Ray LaHood (IL).
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        The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. 
    Thomas).
        Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
    consume. . . .
        Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
        The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. LaHood). The question is on the 
    motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) that 
    the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, 
    H. Con. Res. 344, as amended.
        The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
    thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as 
    amended, was agreed.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Sec. 24.6 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent 
    resolution authorizing the use of the Rotunda for a ceremony to 
    present the Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Gerald 
    R. Ford.

    On Oct. 18, 1999,(1) the following proceedings took 
place:
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 1. 145 Cong. Rec. 25679, 25680, 25695, 106th Cong. 1st Sess. See also 
        144 Cong. Rec. 17828, 105th Cong. 2d Sess., July 29, 1998 (H.R. 
        3506, to award a congressional gold medal to Gerald R. and 
        Betty Ford in recognition of their dedicated public service and 
        outstanding humanitarian contributions to the people of the 
        United States).

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[[Page 316]]

        Mr. [Bill] THOMAS [of California]. Madam Speaker, I move to 
    suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. 
    Res. 196) permitting the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for the 
    presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. 
    Gerald R. Ford.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Con. Res. 196

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
        concurring), That the rotunda of the Capitol is authorized to 
        be used on October 27, 1999, for the presentation of the 
        Congressional Gold Medal to President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford. 
        Physical preparations for the ceremony shall be carried out in 
        accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol 
        may prescribe.

        The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule, 
    the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the gentleman from 
    Michigan (Mr. Kildee) each will control 20 minutes. . . .
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 2. Judith Biggert (IL).
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        So (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were 
    suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.